By Glynn Cosker
Managing Editor, In Homeland Security
UPDATE: Authorities in Los Angeles now report that the terror threat that closed schools was a hoax.
10:00 a.m. EST: Los Angeles Unified School District officials have ordered all Los Angeles public schools closed Tuesday due to a credible terror threat aimed at numerous campuses.
The school district is the second largest in the country (behind New York City) housing more than 640,000 students in more than 900 campuses across the region.
Ramon Cortines, the school system’s superintendent, took the unprecedented action based off an abundance of caution regarding the safety of the children and staff affected.
“It was not to one school, two schools or three schools, it was many schools, not specifically identified, but there were many schools,” Cortines told reporters at a news conference. “That’s the reason that I took the action that I did. I, as superintendent, am not going to take a chance with the life of a student.”
No specific details emerged Tuesday morning regarding the threat, with officials only telling reporters that it was an “electronic threat” that arrived as a “message.” Cortines said the school district would release further information later on Tuesday.
Cortines has also ordered a search of every school in the system. He stated that it is not unusual for a school to receive a threat, but since this threat was broader in nature – and given the fact that the L.A. area was on heightened alert – he acted quickly and comprehensively.
The call to close schools came after some children had already arrived at class. Officials urged parents and guardians of those children to come and pick them up “as soon as possible,” but added that all children were under the supervision of officials
The Los Angeles Police Department and FBI were assisting with the investigation, according to the Los Angeles School Police Chief Steve Zipperman.
“The threat is still being analyzed,” said Zipperman. “We have chosen to close our schools today until we can be sure our campuses are safe.”
Today’s move comes two weeks after the first terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11 took place in San Bernardino – just an hour’s drive from Los Angeles.
No word yet on if schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District will remain closed indefinitely.
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